Guild noms are typically a good indicator of how the comparable Academy branch will vote, but the Writers Guild is an exception.
To be eligible for WGA noms, a film must have been produced under the Guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement. There usually are a few indie productions that fall into that category, but this time around at least 10 films didn’t qualify. Some of the disqualified films would have been prime contenders for best screenplay: Originals — AMMONITE, LET THEM ALL TALK, MINARI, MANK, PIECES OF A WOMAN & SOUL; and Adaptations — EMMA, NOMADLAND, THE FATHER & THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD.
The WGA’s Original noms went to JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, PALM SPRINGS, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, SOUND OF METAL & THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. But with powerhouse contenders like MINARI and MANK (pictured – Gary Oldman) eligible for Oscars, we may see a very different race.
The WGA’s Adapted noms went to BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIE FILM, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, NEWS OF THE WORLD, ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI & THE WHITE TIGER. But with critically acclaimed films like THE FATHER and NOMADLAND eligible, this Oscar race, too, may be quite different.